`Artist Of Concord Village` Paints For Friends

TAMARAC — When Jack Sherman retired from the sporting goods business he took up oil painting and, with it, specialized in the art of giving.

In the past five years, 71-year-old Sherman has given away about 300 of his oil paintings, most of them to children.

Sherman is known as the ``Artist of Concord Village`` at the condominiums in the 6400 block of North University Drive where he and his wife Stella live. Sherman distributes his paintings to his neighbor`s grandchildren. ``You ask him for a picture and you`ll get it,`` said Pearl Schwartz, a seven-year resident. ``He made me pictures for my grandson.``

For children, Sherman paints cartoon figures and animals. His favorite subjects are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Big Bird. The paintings show Big Bird holding balloons, Mickey with outstretched arms, and Donald waving a hat. ``Kids love art. They hug me, they kiss me when they see it,`` Sherman said.

The first thing Sherman does in the morning is go out on his terrace and paint. It is there among the hanging plants, that he finishes 15 paintings a week. Not all of the work he does is for children. He`s painted tree-filled landscapes, Oriental waterfalls and city scenes he keeps or gives to friends.

Sherman began painting after he sold the Harly Sports shop he owned in Regal Park, N. Y. Sherman said he always was interested in art, but never had the time to paint until after he retired. It was then that he converted the garage in his home into a studio, and began painting landscapes.

After selling his home on Long Island, Sherman decided to give away the 150 paintings hanging in his garage. ``I called my neighbors in from the area. I told them to take two or three,`` Sherman said. ``I figured I`d paint more. I`m not a Picasso.``

Now Sherman does not leave the village without a full supply of paintings in the trunk of his golden Mark VI. He said he`s always prepared to give paintings to kids or parents. ``I get pleasure when I see childrens` eyes brighten after they see these things,`` he said.

Sherman said he spends between $200 and $300 a year on art supplies, but has never sold a painting. ``He`s one generous guy. People offer to pay him and he turns them down,`` Schwartz said.

Adele Stern, a one-year resident of the village, had just received a Donald Duck painting for her year-old grandchild, Michael. ``He gave me the Donald Duck because he knew I was going to his (Michael`s) birthday party. Mr. Sherman is so nice,`` she said smiling.